Boat tragedy: Lwanga calls for support of the bereaved

The Most Rev. Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. Photos by Mathias Mazinga

BOAT ACCIDENT

The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has delivered his condolences on the death of Ugandans in a boat cruise disaster on Lake Victoria last weekend (November 24, 2018).

Archbishop Lwanga noted that the disaster terribly shocked him and the entire country. He called for due support to those who lost their relatives and friends, so that they can cope with the pain they are experiencing.

Lwanga later commended the security personnel and volunteers for their tireless efforts to save the lives of the victims and to retrieve the bodies.

He further called for the establishment of good medical services, disaster programmes and strict transport laws to prevent the occurrence of such horrible disasters.

 
Below is the message of Archbishop Lwanga in full:

Fellow countrymen, the country is grieving following the tragic death of a big number of Ugandans when a boat they were cruising on capsized last Saturday night.

The news of this disaster terribly shocked me and the whole country. We all felt the pain the relatives of the deceased and the missing relatives were experiencing. I immediately entrusted the victims to the mercy of almighty God the creator and the bereaved to the care of God to comfort them in this trying time. May the love of God be our anchor of hope as we listen to the Psalmist saying to us most especially in this trying moment, "God heals the broken hearted and he bandages their wounds (Psalm 147:3)

Through this message I convey my personal condolences and from the entire archdiocese to the bereaved families. I am with you in your agony and I promise you my prayers to keep the faith and get His comfort. I also commend the departed to the merciful God to grant them eternal rest. May you seek solace in God who knows all our experiences of life. He grieved for his friend Lazarus, so grieve with him.

The bereaved need to be supported in any way possible to cope with the pain of losing their dear ones. It would be unfortunate for anyone to take advantage of this situation, like stealing the property of the deceased, which should sustain the widows and the orphans. This is also a time we are called on to be kind in word and deed towards the grieving families.

I commend the security personnel and volunteers for their untiring efforts to save the lives of of the victims and to retrieve the missing bodies so as to accord them a dignified burial. However, I appeal to government to analyze the cause of the accident and, make sure measures are put in place to make sure such a tragedy doesn't happen again. Life is the most precious gift which God entrusted to humanity, which must be handled with greatest care.

Let the day of mourning be an occasion to reflect on the way of making Uganda a safe place to live in; establishing good medical services, disaster or relief programmes strict transport laws among others.

May the almighty God grant eternal rest to the faithful departed and make them rest in eternal peace.